Container with cover and closure member

ABSTRACT

A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and an internal, substantially rigid molded plastic receptacle mounted therein. It has a cover structure that includes a reinforcement member for engaging a land region of the molded receptacle, thereby tending to yield an interface tending to have a sealing relationship. The container may also include a thermal storage element, and the container may have an accommodation for receiving the thermal storage element.

This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit under 35USC 120 of the priority of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/954,419filed Oct. 1, 2004, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,841,207, on Nov. 30, 2010which application was itself a continuation in part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/674,795 filed Oct. 1, 2003, issued as U.S. Pat.No. 7,162,890 the specification and claims of those applications beingincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of portable insulated containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soft sided insulated containers have become popular for carrying eitherarticles that may best be served cool, such as beverages or salads, orwarm, such as appetizers, hot dogs, and so on. Such containers arefrequently used to carry liquids, whether hot liquids, such as soupcontainers, coffee or tea, or cold liquids such as beer, soft drinks, orother carbonated beverages, juices and milk. The containers aretypically made in a generally cube-like or rectangular parallelepipedshape, whether of sides of equal length or not, having a base, fourupstanding walls, and a top. The top is generally a lid which opens topermit articles to be placed in, or retrieved from, the container.

While soft sided containers are, in general, quite convenient, theflexible structure may not provide adequate protection for items storedwithin the container. For example, sandwiches or other non-durable itemsmay become crushed or squished when the container is carried orotherwise transported. It may be desirable that other objects that maybe carried in a cooler, such as, for example, egg sandwiches or cucumbersandwiches, or items of a similar nature for a picnic, be kept coolbefore being eaten. Alternatively, if one has warmed canapes or horsd'oeuvres, it may be desirable that those appetizers be kept warm untilserved. However, such items as sandwiches or pastries may tend not to beoverly amenable to immersion in water, and, even if placed in asupposedly waterproof bag or plastic container may tend to become dampor clammy. Further, sandwiches or appetizers tend not to be particularlyresilient, and once squashed may tend not to return to their formerstate.

To alleviate this problem, a rigid insert such as a plastic receptacle,which may conform to the interior walls of the soft sided container, maybe used to impart structural rigidity to the soft side container. As aresult of this increased rigidity, items placed within the rigid insertmay be less apt to be affected by bumps or other forces applied to thesoft sided container.

While items placed within the rigid insert may be provided with ameasure of protection from external forces, they may be adverselyaffected by other items located within the rigid insert. For example,more durable items such as bottles and cans, may come into contact withless durable items such as sandwiches and buns when the items arejostled during transport of the container. This could cause the lessdurable items to become damaged.

The contents of items such as soft drink or beer bottles, may also beaffected. As the container is moved, any item contained therein maymove, and contact a side of the rigid receptacle, or contact other itemslocated within the container. This movement may lead to damage orbreakage of the items themselves. Movement may also cause the contentsof durable items such as soft drink and beer bottles to become agitated,causing the contents of such items to be expressed in an undesirablespray when opened.

Another possible disadvantage of such soft sided containers is thatcontained items may tip or fall from a preferred orientation when thecontainer is moved. For example, a cork partially inserted into thespout of a previously opened wine bottle may become dislodged if thebottle is knocked from a generally vertical orientation to a generallyhorizontal orientation. As a result, the contained wine may be releasedwithin the rigid insert, contaminating both the insert and any otheritems located therein.

For all of these reasons, in addition to providing a stiff reinforcementto protect contents from damage due to external causes, it may also bedesirable to have an internal bracing or reinforcement member to aid inthe protection of the various objects to be protected from each other.

Further still, in soft sided coolers heretofore, the closure of the lidhas tended to depend on the closing of a zipper, often a zipper runningaround three sides of a rectangle, with the fourth side being hinged.The lid may rest on a foam lip or bad. When a container of this naturefalls over, its resistance to the spilling of liquid through the closuremay not be as effective as might be desired. It might be advantageous tohave a somewhat tighter seal, such as might be made by stiffer materialsin an interference fit. A soft-sided panel would not normally besufficiently stiff to achieve such a seal. The use of a seal in thisnature might also permit the elimination of the main peripheral zipperof the main closure of the container.

Further, it may be advantageous to provide a mounting for a thermalstorage device, such as an ice pack or an exothermic package, that couldbe carried in the container. It would be advantageous for the thermalstorage element to be removable, to permit it to be re-frozen in thefreezer or refrigerator, or reheated, or recharged, as the case may be.Alternatively, it may be desirable to be able to choose between a numberof various positions for the thermal storage element, depending on whatmight be carried in the insulated container. That is, in some cases itmight be desirable to have the thermal storage element below objects inthe insulated, sometimes above, and sometimes in the middle. Furtherstill, it might be advantageous to be able to remove the thermal storageelement from the insulated container entirely, and to use it as a flatsurface upon which to serve or eat objects taken out of the container.This role might be advantageously enhanced by forming a recess, orrecesses in the thermal storage element such as might be used as drinkholders, or retainers for drinks or other objects, to prevent them fromsliding in the event the surface is not precisely level (as may be thecase on a picnic, or in a vehicle, or from spilling if jostled slightly,in the event the vehicle is moving). Further still, it may beadvantageous to permit the thermal storage element to be held in thelids of the container when the container is open, to serve either of theabove mentioned roles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect of the invention there is an insulated container assembly.The insulated container assembly has a first portion and a secondportion co-operable therewith. The first portion has a soft-sidedinsulated wall structure and a receptacle therein. The receptacle has anopening, and the opening has a land adjacent thereto. The second portionis movably connected to the first portion. The second portion includes aclosure member operable to control access to the receptacle. The closuremember includes a stiffened member operable to engage the land in aninterference fit.

In another feature of that aspect of the invention, the land and thestiffened member are co-operable to form a seal. In yet another feature,the stiffened member includes a bead and the bead is engageable with theland. In still another feature, the stiffened member is a surround. Thereceptacle is made of a stiffer material than the soft sided wallstructure, and the land is a region of the receptacle extending aboutthe opening. In still yet another feature, when the surround engages theland, hoop stresses are developed in at least one of (a) the land; and(b) the surround. In a further feature, when the surround engages theland, a compressive hoop stress is generated in one of (a) the land; and(b) the surround, and tensile hoop stresses are generated in the other.

In another feature, the insulated container assembly includes aremovable thermal storage element. In yet another feature, the thermalstorage element is matingly engageable with the second portion. In stillanother feature, the thermal storage element is matingly engageable withthe stiffened member of the second portion of the insulated containerassembly. In still yet another feature, the thermal storage element isalternately locatable in the second portion of the container assemblyand in the first portion of the container assembly. In a furtherfeature, when the closure member is in an open position, and the thermalstorage member is engaged in the second portion, the thermal storagemember presents a support surface for objects withdrawn from the firstportion of the container assembly. In still a further feature, thethermal storage member includes a flat surface, and the thermal storagemember is movable to permit the flat surface to act as a support surfacefor objects removed from the first portion of the container assembly.

In yet a further feature, the thermal storage member includes at leastone recess formed therein. In still yet a further feature, the thermalstorage container has at least one cup-holder recess formed therein. Inanother feature, the thermal storage container has an internal cavityfor containing a thermal storage medium, and the cavity is refillable.In yet another feature, the insulated container assembly has amechanical attachment element operable to secure the second portion in aclosed position relative to the first portion. In still another feature,the insulated container assembly has a grip member by which to urge thestiffened member to a disengaged position relative to the land. Inanother feature, the land and the stiffened member define an engagementinterface of the second portion of the container assembly with the firstportion of the container assembly, and the interface is zipperless.

In another aspect of the invention there is an insulated, soft-sidedcontainer assembly. The container has a body assembly and a lid assemblyhingedly joined to the body assembly. The body assembly includes asoft-sided outer casing and an internal hard-shell receptacle. Increceptacle has a mouth. The lid includes a formed structural memberhaving a periphery for mating engagement with the mouth of thereceptacle. The structural member is engageable in an interference fitwith the mouth of the receptacle.

In another feature of that aspect of the invention, the structuralmember has a deformable bead mounted thereto for contacting thereceptacle. In still another feature, the receptacle includes areceptacle wall region extending peripherally to define the mouth, andwhen matingly engaged, the structural member is biased toward theperipherally extending wall region of the receptacle. In yet anotherfeature, the insulated container assembly has a removable thermalstorage element. The thermal storage element and the structural memberof the lid are releasably engageable. In still yet another feature, thethermal storage element is variably positionable within the containerassembly. In a further feature, the thermal storage element is variablypositionable within a set of positions in the container assembly. Theset of positions includes at least a first position releasably engagedwith the structural member, and a second position seated in thereceptacle.

In still a further feature, the receptacle has a bottom wall and thethermal storage element is positionable in a set of positions within thecontainer assembly. The set of positions includes a first positionreleasably engaged with the structural member, a second position nestedabove the bottom wall and a third position intermediate the first andsecond positions. In another feature, the insulated container assemblyhas a shelf positionable within the receptacle. In still anotherfeature, the thermal storage element is placeable within the receptacleupon the shelf. In yet another feature, the lid has an outwardly facingsurface, and the outwardly facing surface has at least one rebate formedtherein for inhibiting movement of objects placed on the lid within therebates.

In another aspect of the invention there is an insulated soft-sidedcontainer assembly. The container assembly has a soft sided insultedwall structure including a base panel, an upstanding sidewall, and alid. The lid is hingedly mounted to the upstanding sidewall. Areceptacle is mounted within the soft sided wall structure. Thereceptacle is made from a stiffer material than the soft-sided wallstructure. The receptacle has a mouth. The lid has a stop for the mouth.The stop is made from a stiffer material than the soft-sided wallstructure. The lid is movable between an open position and a closedposition to control access to the receptacle. When the lid is in theclosed position, the stop is engaged with the mouth in an interferencefit.

In another feature of that aspect of the invention, the stop includes amoulded surround member having a peripherally outwardly facing surface.The surface has a contact region, and the surround member is resilientlydisplaceable on engagement with the receptacle. In another feature, thesurround includes an inwardly facing peripheral surface, and areleasably engageable thermal storage element is mounted inwardly of theinwardly facing peripheral surface.

In another aspect of the invention there is the combination of a thermalstorage element and a thermal storage element retention fitting for aninsulated container. The container has at least one substantially planarpanel, wherein the thermal storage element has a hollow body forcontaining a thermal storage medium liquid, a port by which to introducethe thermal storage medium liquid into the hollow body, a removableclosure member operable to control access to the hollow body, and atleast one engagement fitting operable releasably to mate the thermalstorage element with the thermal storage retention apparatus. Thethermal storage retention apparatus is mounted to form at least aportion of the substantially planar panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These aspects and other features of the invention can be understood withthe aid of the following illustrations of a number of exemplary, andnon-limiting, embodiments of the principles of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 a shows an isometric view taken from in front, above, and to theleft, of an embodiment of a container assembly in a closed position;

FIG. 1 b shows the container assembly of FIG. 1 a in an open, explodedposition showing a soft-sided wall structure, a receptacle for seatingin the sift-sided wall structure, and a multi-position dividingpartition for seating in the receptacle;

FIG. 1 c shows the container assembly of FIG. 1 a with an auxiliaryportion thereof in an open position;

FIG. 2 a shows a front view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 b shows a left hand side view of the container assembly of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2 c shows a right hand side view of the container assembly of FIG.1 a; FIG. 2 d shows a rear view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 e shows a top view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 f shows a bottom view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 g shows a partial sectional view of the structure of thecontainer assembly of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 h shows an alternate multi-position dividing partition forcontainer assemblies similar to the container of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 i shows an alternate three-panel, two fold, multi-partitiondividing partition for the container assembly of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2 j is a perspective view of the multi-position dividing partitionof FIG. 1 b;

FIG. 2 k is a hinge detail of the dividing partition of FIG. 2 j;

FIG. 2 l is a cross-sectional detail taken on arrow ‘21’ of FIG. 2 k;

FIG. 3 a shows an isometric view of a receptacle for use in thecontainer assembly of FIG. 1 a, taken from above one corner thereof;

FIG. 3 b shows an opposite isometric of the receptacle of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 c shows a side elevation of the receptacle of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 d shows an end elevation of the receptacle of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 e shows a top view of the receptacle of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 f shows a bottom view of the receptacle of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 g shows an isometric view of the receptacle of FIG. 3 a with amulti-position dividing partition mounted therein;

FIG. 3 h shows a top view of the receptacle and dividing partition ofFIG. 3 g with the partition in a substantially planar mid-heightposition inside the receptacle;

FIG. 3 i shows a top view of the receptacle and dividing partition ofFIG. 3 g with the partition in a half vertical, half horizontal positioninside the receptacle;

FIG. 3 j shows a top view of the receptacle and dividing partition ofFIG. 3 g with the partition in a three quarter horizontal, one quartervertical position inside the receptacle;

FIG. 3 k shows a top view of the receptacle and dividing partition ofFIG. 3 g with the partition in a half horizontal, centered positioninside the receptacle with both end quarters oriented vertically;

FIG. 3 l shows a top view of the receptacle and dividing partition ofFIG. 3 g with the partition in a half horizontal, centered position,with one perforated panel portion and one solid panel portion beingoriented horizontally;

FIG. 3 m shows a top view of the receptacle and dividing partition ofFIG. 3 g with one quarter of the partition in a planar horizontalposition, and the remainder in vertical orientation inside thereceptacle;

FIG. 3 n shows a top view of the receptacle and dividing partition ofFIG. 3 g with one quarter of the partition in a substantially planar,side offset mid-height position inside the receptacle;

FIG. 4 a shows a top view of a lid structural member and thermal storageelement subassembly of the container assembly of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 4 b shows a view from above of the lid structural member of FIG. 4a;

FIG. 4 c shows a scab cross-section of FIG. 4 a on section ‘4 c-4 c’;

FIG. 4 d shows an alternate cross-section to that of FIG. 4 c;

FIG. 4 e shows an alternate cross-section of a sealing portion for thecross section of FIG. 4 c or FIG. 4 d;

FIG. 4 f shows an alternate installation of thermal storage member inthe receptacle of the container assembly of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 4 g shows an alternate installation of thermal storage members in alid structural member similar to FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5 a is a diagonal perspective view from one corner of a thermalstorage element as shown in FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5 b is an opposite diagonal perspective view of the thermal storagemember of FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 5 c is a top view of the thermal storage member of FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 5 d is a bottom view of the thermal storage member of FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 5 e is a filler end view of the thermal storage element of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 5 f is an opposite end view to that of FIG. 5 e;

FIG. 6 a is a view of an alternate foam lid construction for thecontainer assembly of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 6 b is a top view of an alternate receptacle structure to that ofFIG. 3 a;

FIG. 7 a shows a perspective view from above, in front, and to onecorner of an alternate embodiment of container assembly to that of FIG.1 a;

FIG. 7 b shows a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 7 ataken from the opposite upper diagonal prospect;

FIG. 7 c shows a perspective view from the front right corner, andabove, of the container assembly of FIG. 7 a in an open condition;

FIG. 7 d shows a top view of the container assembly of FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 7 e shows a front view of the container assembly of FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 7 f shows a left hand side view of the container assembly of FIG. 7a;

FIG. 7 g shows a right hand side view of the container of FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 7 h shows a rear view of the container assembly of FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 7 i shows a bottom view of the container of FIG. 7 a;

FIG. 8 a is a top view of the container assembly of FIG. 7 a in an openposition;

FIG. 8 b is similar to FIG. 8 a, but with an internal divider memberremoved;

FIG. 8 c is similar to FIG. 8 a, but with an internal receptacleremoved;

FIG. 8 d is a perspective view of the internal receptacle of FIG. 8 c;

FIG. 8 e is a top view of the receptacle of FIG. 8 d;

FIG. 8 f is a side view of the receptacle of FIG. 8 d;

FIG. 8 g is an end view of the receptacle of FIG. 8 d;

FIG. 8 h is a bottom view of the receptacle of FIG. 8 d;

FIG. 9 a shows a perspective view from above, in front, and to onecorner of a further alternate embodiment of container assembly to thatof FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 9 b is a perspective view from above, in front, and to one cornerof the container assembly of FIG. 9 a in an open position;

FIG. 9 c shows a front view of the container assembly of FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 9 d shows a left hand side view of the container assembly of FIG. 9a;

FIG. 9 e shows a right hand side view of the container of FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 9 f shows a rear view of the container assembly of FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 9 g shows a bottom view of the container of FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 9 h is a side view of the container assembly of FIG. 9 a in an openposition;

FIG. 9 i is a scab cross-section of a sidewall portion of the containerassembly of FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 9 j is a cross-section of a lid portion of the container assemblyof FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 10 a shows a front view of further alternate embodiment ofcontainer assembly to that of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 10 b shows a rear view of the container assembly of FIG. 10 a;

FIG. 10 c is a top, or first long sidewall view of the assembly of FIG.10 a;

FIG. 10 d is a bottom or second long side view of the assembly of FIG.10 a;

FIG. 10 e shows a left hand side view of the container assembly of FIG.10 a;

FIG. 10 f shows a right hand side view of the container of FIG. 10 a;

FIG. 10 g is a view of the container assembly of FIG. 10 a in an openposition;

FIG. 10 h is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 10 a with theinternal liner removed;

FIG. 10 i is an alternate embodiment of the container assembly of FIG.10 a;

FIG. 10 j is a section showing engaging closure members of the containerassembly of FIG. 10 a;

FIG. 10 k shows a section of a alternate set of engaging closure membersto that of FIG. 10 j;

FIG. 11 a shows an isometric view from above, in front, and to one sideof an alternate container assembly to that of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 11 b shows a front view of the container assembly of FIG. 11 a;

FIG. 11 c shows a rear view of the container assembly of FIG. 11 a;

FIG. 11 d shows a left hand side view of the container assembly of FIG.11 a;

FIG. 11 e shows a right hand side view of the container of FIG. 11 a;

FIG. 11 f is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 11 a;

FIG. 11 g is a bottom view of the assembly of FIG. 11 a;

FIG. 11 h is an isometric view of the assembly of FIG. 11 a in an openposition;

FIG. 11 i is an isometric view of the assembly of FIG. 11 a in apartially open position;

FIG. 11 j is a section showing engaging closure members of the containerassembly of FIG. 11 a;

FIG. 11 k shows a section of a alternate set of engaging closure membersto that of FIG. 11 j;

FIG. 12 a shows an isometric view from above, in front, and to one sideof an alternate container assembly to that of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 12 b shows the container assembly of FIG. 12 a in a partially openposition analogous to that of FIG. 11 i;

FIG. 12 c shows a front view of the container assembly of FIG. 12 a;

FIG. 12 d shows a rear view of the container assembly of FIG. 12 a;

FIG. 12 e shows a left hand side view of the container assembly of FIG.12 a;

FIG. 12 f shows a right hand side view of the container of FIG. 12 a;

FIG. 12 g is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 12 a; and

FIG. 12 h is a bottom view of the assembly of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, areprovided way of illustration of an example, or examples of particularembodiments of me principles of the present invention. These examplesare provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, ofthose principles and of the invention. In the description, like partsare marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the samerespective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scaleand in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order tomore clearly depict certain features of the invention.

In the description and drawings herein, reference may be made to aCartesian co-ordinate system in which the vertical direction, or z-axis,extends in an up and down orientation from bottom to top. The x-axisextends in the shorter dimension of the container assembly, when fullyexpanded, running in the front-to-back direction. The y-axis extendscross-wise horizontally relative to the x-axis, running in theside-to-side direction. Unless noted otherwise, the terms “inside” and“outside”, “inwardly” and “outwardly”, refer to location or orientationrelative to the enclosed spaces of the first and second portions of thecontainer assembly, as may be.

Referring to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, and by way of a general overview, acontainer assembly is indicated generally as 20. Container assembly 20has a first, or main portion 22, that may include an optional auxiliaryportion 24 mounted on the forward face thereof. Main portion 22 includesan outer casing 26 in the nature of a soft-sided, insulated wallstructure 28, and a reinforcement member, or stiff wall structure, inthe nature of a relatively rigid, resilient, molded plastic tub,indicated as receptacle 30, mounted within soft-sided insulated wallstructure 28. Receptacle 30 is watertight, and is removable from withinwall structure 28, and of container assembly 20 more generally, tofacilitate washing thereof. When receptacle 30 is in place, containerportion 22 is intended to be maintained in the shape shown in theFigures, and is not intended to be collapsible.

A second portion of container assembly 20 is indicated as a top panel,or lid 32, that has an internal structural member 34 for engagement withthe upper portion of receptacle 30, thereby acting as a closure memberto control access to the enclosed chamber 50 defined within receptacle30. Internal structural member 34 has a peripherally extending sealmember 210 for interferingly engaging the mouth of receptacle 30. Lid 32as such may tend to deter the egress of materials, such as liquids, thatmight otherwise occur when container assembly 20 is inadvertently tippedover or jostled excessively energetically, internal structural member 34also has a recess defined therein for receiving a removable andre-usable thermal storage member 40, such as may be employed toinfluence the environmental condition inside chamber 50, oralternatively, may be remove and employed as a chilled (or warmed)element upon which to rest foods, such as, for example, appetizers, orbeverages. Lid 32 may also include such features as may permit lid 32 toprovide a relatively stiff surface upon which to place objects, such as,for example, foods or beverages.

These assemblies of container assembly 20, are illustratedco-operatively in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. They will now be described ingreater detail.

First Portion 22

First insulated container portion 22 has an outer casing 26, an insert,namely receptacle 30, and a divider or partition 46. Outer casing 26 hasa compartment 48 for receiving receptacle 30, and receptacle 30 has achamber 50 which may be divided by placement of partition 46 therein.Partition 46 may be used to separate items placed within chamber 50.Items may also be retained by partition 46, as described in detailbelow. A closure member such as lid 32, attached to outer casing 26, maybe used to enclose receptacle 30 within compartment 48. FIG. 1 a showscontainer assembly 20 with lid 32 in a closed position. An optionalcarrying means such as strap 54 may be attached to outer casing 26 tofacilitate transport of container assembly 20.

Outer Casing 26

Outer casing 26 is preferably made of an insulative material forthermally insulating receptacle 30. The insulative material inhibitsheat transfer between chamber 50 and the surroundings of containerassembly 20. This may tend to help to maintain a preferred temperatureof items such as food products stored within receptacle 30. For example,if items such as bottles of liquid 58, which are stored within chamber50, have a lower temperature than the container assembly's surroundings,then the insulative material may reduce the rate of heat transfer tobottles of liquid 58, keeping the soft drink or wine at a lowtemperature for a longer period than if it were not placed withincontainer assembly 20. When lid 32 is in a closed position, heattransfer may be inhibited to a greater extent.

The insulative material may additionally be soft, such as resilient foamso that the container may tend not to damage, or be damaged by, objectswith which it may come into contact. If a suitable plastic or othermaterial or stain resistant surface coating or surface treatment isused, then outer casing 26 may also be readily cleaned to remove dirtand other debris acquired through use.

Outer casing 26 preferably has an insulated bottom panel 60, andinsulated wall panels, namely a front panel 62, a rear panel 64, and apair of right and left hand side panels 66 and 68. In the description ofthe embodiments of the claimed invention, the choice of front and rear,left and right, orientations is arbitrary. Each panel 60, 62, 64, 66 and68 is preferably located at substantially right angles to two adjacentwall panels. For example, panel 64 is located adjacent panel 66 at oneend, and adjacent panel 68 at an opposite end. The bottom panel may beattached to all four panels 62, 64, 66 and 68, along edges thereof. Thecombination of panels 62, 64, 66 and 68, and bottom panel 60, definecompartment 48. Bottom panel 60 and panels 62, 64, 66 and 68, each arepreferably rectangular, with respective opposite panels 62 and 64, and66 and 68, being congruent to one another. In this preferredconfiguration, compartment 48 has a generally cube-like or rectangularparallelepiped shape. Panels 62, 64, 66 and 68, and bottom panel 60 maybe fastened to one another by sewing, gluing or some other suitablefastening means. Alternatively, two or more panels (including the bottompanel) may be formed from a single piece of material having one or morefolds therein to define the two or more panels. In the preferredembodiment, the front, bottom and rear panels may be made from a singlepiece of insulated material. Lid 32 and an adjacent wall may also beformed from a single piece of material. For example, rear panel 64 andlid 32 may be formed from a single piece of material having a foldtherein to define rear panel 64 and lid 32. It may be noted that lid 32may thusly be connected to the upper margin of rear panel 64 by aflexible fabric hinge.

In an alternative embodiment, outer casing 26 may have either less thanfour, or more than four, panels (not shown). For example, outer casing26 may be configured to have one continuous panel defining a round wall,thereby forming a right cylinder, or some other generally rounded shape.

In one embodiment, connected panels 62, 64, 66 and 68 may each have anupper, or distal, edge 72, 74, 76 and 78, respectively, which in thecase of edges 72, 76 and 78 is also a free edge, and edge 74 being afabric hinge, the four edges co-operating to define container opening 80through which receptacle 30 may be placed into compartment 48. Lid 32 ishingedly, or pivotally attached to rear panel edge 74. Rather thanemploying a zipper (or, optionally, in addition to a zipper, if a zipperis desired), internal structural member 34 engages the mouth ofreceptacle 30 in a relatively tight interference fit, thus effectivelysecuring lid 32 to inhibit heat transfer to and from chamber 50. Astrap, or flexible handle 82 is grasped to release the mating portionsof a hook and eye fabric strip securement 84 (e.g., Velcro™) mounted tohandle 82 and front panel 62 respectively, and to permit theinterference fit seal of lid 32 inside receptacle 30 to be broken, andlid 32 moved pivotally about its rearward hinged edge between theclosed, or sealed position, and an open, and unsealed, position.

Outer casing 26 may have shoulder strap 54 attached thereto, forexample, at side panels 66 and 68. As noted above, outer casing 26 mayalso have an auxiliary portion or pouch 24. Pouch 24 may have asee-through mesh pocket 86, such as may be convenient for viewing thecontents thereof, which may include knives, forks, spoons or otherobjects.

FIG. 2 g shows the general structure of a cross-section of any of theinsulated wall panels, such as left hand side wall panel 68 withreceptacle 30 and partition 46 in place. A scab section of bottom panel60 is also shown to reveal its layers of construction, as is a scabsection of thermal storage member 40. With the exception of auxiliarypouch 24, this section is typical not only of front panel 62 but also,generally, of rear panel 64, side panels 66 and 68, bottom panel 60. Theouter facing layer of the panel (be it 62, 64, 66 or 68) is an outerskin in the nature of a canvas covering layer 88 for resisting abrasion.It overlays an intermediate thermal insulation medium, such as may be inthe nature of closed cell foam insulation layer 92 for impeding, whichis to say discouraging, heat transfer between the interior of containerassembly 20 and external ambient. The inner face of insulation layer 92is covered by an inner skin in the nature of a flexible sheet 90,whether of Vinyl™ or of plasticised metallic foil sheeting that is shinyand reflective. The metallic foil sheeting material may be the type soldunder the name Therma-Flect™ The inside of compartment 48 is lined withwhite vinyl sheeting on its forward and bottom sides.

This same general structural arrangement prevails in bottom panel 60,although outer covering layer 96 may be a rather thicker,scuff-resistant material than the outer skin of the upwardly extendingside walls.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2 g, the bottle of liquid 58 restsupon thermal storage element 40, which, in this view being shown in oneof its alternate positions, is seated, resting on the bottom ofreceptacle 30. The weight in receptacle 30 is then carried into bottompanel 60, and heat transfer from thermal storage element 40 ispreferably biased (i.e., generally made easier by direct contact withitem 40, rather than harder) toward the objects within receptacle 30,and generally impeded or resisted through panel 60.

Receptacle 30

As a preliminary matter, FIGS. 3 g to 3 n are perspective views, notorthogonal views, such that the foreshortening of the taper of the wallsappears to be pronounced in an exaggerated, or somewhat disproportionatefashion. A top view, with partition 46 removed, and a bottom view, inFIGS. 3 e and 3 f, respectively, and a top view of an alternateembodiment, shown in FIG. 6 b, provide a contrasting analogousorthogonal view.

Referring to FIGS. 3 a to 3 n, receptacle 30 is preferably configured tobe the same general size and shape as compartment 48 so that receptacle30 may be placed within compartment 48 and lid 32 may be closed usingflexible handle 82 to contain receptacle 30. While receptacle 30preferably conforms to compartment 48, it may have some otherconfiguration that fits within compartment 48. For example, receptacle30 may have fewer than four, or greater than four walls. In analternative embodiment, receptacle 30 may be configured to have onecontinuous wall defining a round cylindrical segment or anothergenerally rounded shape.

In the preferred embodiment, receptacle 30 has a base or bottom wallindicated as bottom 98, a receptacle front wall 100, a rear wall 102,and a pair of right and left hand side walls 104 and 106. Each wall 100,102, 104 and 106 is preferably generally located at a generally squarecorner to two adjacent walls, aside from the slight generally flaredtaper of the adjacent walls. For example, wall 102 is located adjacentwall 104 at one end of wall 102, and adjacent wall 106 at an oppositeend of wall 102. Bottom 98 is be attached to all four walls 100, 102,104 and 106, along edges thereof, the general structure of receptacle 30being a molded plastic part such as may be used to contain liquids.Walls 100, 102, 104 and 106, and bottom 98, co-operate to define aninterior surface 108 of receptacle 30, which bound chamber 50. Bottom 98and walls 100, 102, 104 and 106, each are preferably generallyrectangular in shape with opposite walls 100 and 102, and 104 and 106,being substantially congruent to one another. In this configuration,chamber 50 has a generally cube-like or rectangular parallelepiped shapehaving contours, as described in detail below. It should be noted thatreceptacle 30 may be configured without a bottom 98.

Walls 100, 102, 104 and 106 extend from receptacle bottom 98, and eachwall terminates at free edges 110, 112, 114 and 116, respectively. Freeedges 110, 112, 114 and 116 together define a receptacle rim, or edge118 of generally rectangular plan form, with radiused corners.Receptacle edge 118 is preferably generally equidistant from bottom 98(i.e., lies in a parallel, upwardly spaced plane) and defines areceptacle, identified as opening 120 by which to obtain access tochamber 50. While bottom 98 is generally planar, it may alternativelyhave portions defining indents (not shown) that conform to the profilesof one or more items to be contained within receptacle 30. Such indentsmay inhibit movement of these items when placed within the indentscorresponding to their respective profiles.

Receptacle 30 is preferably rigid to provide a degree of protection toitems stored therein from external forces caused, for example, bybumping, jostling, or knocking of container assembly 20 when it istransported or otherwise used. At the same time, receptacle 30 may tendto be sufficiently lightweight that it may not make container assembly20 unduly heavy to carry when container assembly 20 is filled with itemssuch as bottles of liquid 58 or sandwiches. A plastic, for example, maybe used to form receptacle 30. A relatively tough plastic is preferredbecause it may tend to resist breakage, it can contain melting ice andspilled liquids, and it may be readily cleaned.

Receptacle 30 may be stiffened further by including one or morestrengtheners, such as an array of ribs 122, that extend in a generallyupwardly direction from bottom 98, to increase the rigidity ofreceptacle 30. Ribs 122 may be either attached to, or preferably beformed integrally with, receptacle 30. Each wall 100, 102, 104 and 106preferably has at least one rib 122, which at least partially traversesan external surface thereof. As shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 a and 3b, ribs 122 are generally parallel to one another, and originateadjacent bottom 98, extending from bottom 98 and ending at a ribterminus 124. While rib terminus 124 may be located at or adjacentreceptacle edge 118, it is preferably located at some intermediateheight between bottom 98 and receptacle edge 118. While any of ¼, ⅓, ½,⅔, or ¾, or some other suitable proportion may be chosen, in thepreferred embodiment, terminus 124 is roughly ½ way between bottom 98and rim 118. In this intermediate position, rib terminus 124 may alsomeet interior shoulder 126 which may be used to support partition 46, asdescribed in further detail below.

The interior surface 108 of receptacle 30 has at least one guide 128 forreceiving or engaging a portion of partition 46, for example, an edge,such as edge 130 (as shown in FIG. 3 e; and described in further detailbelow). Guide 128 may be added to, or, preferably be made integrallywith, receptacle 30. In the preferred embodiment, guide 128 isintegrally formed with a wall, such as wall 100 or 102, of receptacle30, and is oriented so that an edge, for example edge 130, of partition46 may be placed therein. When partition 46 is held by guide 128, it ispreferably oriented to at least partially divide chamber 50. Mostpreferably, the internally facing surfaces of the integrally molded wallfeature of rib 122 also function as guide 128.

Guide 128 may be in the nature of a rebate, groove or fluting, and maybe substantially linear to permit partition 46 to be slidingly receivedtherein. Guide 128 may be located to correspond to the location of a rib122 so that guide 128 is defined within rib 122. Accordingly, guide 128originates adjacent bottom 98, and extends along interior surface 108,from bottom 98, and ends at a guide terminus 134, which may correspondsto rib terminus 124. Guide terminus 134 may be located at or adjacentreceptacle edge 118, but is preferably located at some mid-point betweenbottom 98 and receptacle edge 118 adjacent interior shoulder 126. Alongitudinal axis of guide 128 may be substantially perpendicular to aplane of bottom 98.

Guide 128 need not be the same length as rib 122; it need only be ofsufficient length to receive at least part of an edge (such as edge 130)of partition 46 to inhibit movement thereof in a direction transverse toa longitudinal axis of guide 128. Receptacle 30 may alternatively beformed with guide 128 (and, if desired, rib 122) oriented at an angleother than at 90 degrees relative to bottom 98. This would in turn alterthe orientation of a received partition 46. If rib 122 and guide 128 arealigned, then rib 122 both strengthens receptacle 30 and defines guide128. This arrangement may also facilitate the manufacture of receptacle30 if, for example, it is made by injection moulding. In the preferredembodiment, guide 128 is configured to be substantially straight forreceiving a substantially straight edge 130 of partition 46.

Receptacle 30 may be provided with additional guides 128 for receivingedge 130 of partition 46, for example. Two guides 128 may co-operate andeach receive an edge of partition 46, such as edges 130 and oppositeedge 132, to inhibit movement of partition 46 (as shown in FIG. 3 g).The provision of multiple guides 128 within receptacle 30 permitschamber 50 of receptacle 30 to be sub-divided in different waysdepending on which guides 128 are used for receiving partition 46 (asfurther explained below).

Each guide 128 is preferably bounded by generally parallel edges orboundaries, which have a concave rounded or arcuate intermediate portion136 therebetween. The rounded intermediate portion 136 may facilitatethe manufacture, for example by moulding, of receptacle 30, may increasethe stiffness of the structure more generally, and may serve to providea nesting curvature for a round cylindrical container, such as a bottleor can that may be placed in receptacle 30.

Receptacle 30 may also have a shoulder 126 for supporting partition 46,or a portion of partition 46, in a generally horizontal orientation,such as to function as a shelf or partial shelf. Shoulder 126 extendsalong interior surface 108, and is preferably located between receptacleedge 118 and bottom 98. In the preferred embodiment, shoulder 126extends along the perimeter of interior surface 108 at a heightintermediate to the bottom and the upper rim, preferably generally abouthalfway between the two. To reduce material in an alternate embodiment,shoulder portions in the nature of inwardly extending flutes of partialheight, may instead be implemented to support partition 46. Shoulder 126projects from interior surface 108, and may present a surface 140, thatis generally planar and parallel to bottom 98. Subject to the existenceof intermediate arcuate portions 136, surface 140 may have a generallyuniform width, and may have gaps 142 therein where guides 128 intersectshoulder 126. Each gap 142 corresponds to a guide terminus 134.

In the preferred embodiment, receptacle 30 has six generally parallelguides 128: three sets of opposed guides located in opposed walls 100and 102, respectively. In an alternate embodiment it may also have twosets of opposed guides in opposed walls 104 and 106. Each guide 128 maybe spaced on generally equal, regular pitches along walls 100, 102, 104or 106.

As noted above, wall portions between adjacent guides 128 may beconfigured to accommodate items that may be typically stored withinreceptacle 30, such as beverage bottles 58. For example, a wall portion136, located between two guides 128, may be generally arcuate, or someother shape, so that it conforms to a profile of a bottle 58. Similarly,a corner wall portion 144 may conform to a profile of bottle 58 anddefine a corner of receptacle 30. An axis of the apex of each wallportion is preferably substantially parallel to guides 128, and eachguide and its adjacent arcuate portions have substantially linearco-terminating boundaries 146. While in one embodiment the width ofshoulder surface 140 may be roughly uniform, it may vary to correspondto the profile of the wall portions, such as corner wall portion 144.

In the alternate, preferred embodiment of FIG. 6 b, a receptacle 138 isshown that does not have arcuate wall portions, or arcuate cornermolding portions, but rather substantially planar walls, with cornerradii, giving a smoother, and simpler, style of construction.

If receptacle 30 is configured to be substantially the same size ascompartment 48, (or, that is of a corresponding size that fits welltherein) then spaces or gaps 94 between receptacle 30 and one or more ofwalls 62, 64, 66 and 68, may be reduced. A smaller gap 94 may reduce thelikelihood that spilled liquids, food, or such other matter may find itsway between the inwardly facing wall surfaces of soft sided wallstructure 28 and the outwardly facing surfaces of receptacle 30, whichmay tend to reduce the frequency with which compartment 48 requirescleaning. Gap 94 may be reduced by configuring receptacle edge 118 tohave a reinforcement or stiffener in the nature of a flange or lip 148.Lip 148 may extend peripherally along receptacle edges 110, 112, 114,116 and is preferably located adjacent one or more of outer casing freeedges 72, 74, 76 and 78 when receptacle 30 is positioned within outercasing 26. This proximity of lip 148 to free edges 72, 74, 76 and 78,may tend to reduce the size of a gap 94 that may form between theflexible outer casing 26 and receptacle 30. By reducing the size of gap94, matter such as a spilled liquid may be encouraged either to becaught within receptacle 30 or repelled by any portion of the exteriorsurface of outer casing 26. Lip 148 may have a generally L-shapedcross-section forming a step in receptacle edge 110, 112, 114 or 116 asmay be, and may project outwardly and away from walls 100, 102, 104,106, and chamber 50 in a generally horizontal plane. Lip 148 mayalternatively or additionally be arcuate, rounded or have some othershape that projects from walls 100, 102, 104, 106 to discourage incpassage or matter between outer casing 26 and receptacle 30. (FIG. 2 g).

Partition 46

Referring to FIG. 8 a, partition 46 may be positioned or located withinreceptacle 30 to sub-divide chamber 50 in at least two different ways,as shown, for example in FIGS. 3 g to 3 n. By sub-dividing chamber 50,the movement of items stored within chamber 50 may be inhibited, whichmay limit the extent to which they come into damaging contact with oneanother, and with walls 100, 102, 104, 106 and bottom 98, when containerassembly 20 is transported or moved. Partition 46 may be made of asubstantially rigid material so that it may tend to resist deformationwhen contacted by items stored in receptacle 30. As discussed in furtherdetail below, one or more guides 128, and shoulder 126, or both, mayco-operate with partition 46 to inhibit its movement within receptacle30 when it is located to sub-divide chamber 50.

Positioning and configuring of partition 46 may be facilitated byproviding partition 46 with a first hinged connection 150 therein.Hinged connection 150 separates partition 46 into at least a firstpartition portion 152 and a second partition portion 154. First andsecond portions 152 and 154 are joined to one another along hingedconnection 150, and are movable relative to one another about hinge 150.

A portion of partition 46, which traverses partition 46 between firstand second portions 152 and 154, preferably defines a living plastichinge 156. Hinge 156 preferably has a thickness which is less than thethickness of the web of at least one of the first and second portions152 and 154, and the peripheral flange, or edge 158, standingperpendicular to the general plane of the intermediate, transverselyextending webs, is relieved, (by being chamfered, or bevelled down) inthe region of the hinge. If partition 46 is moulded from a plastic thenhinge 156 may be integrally formed therein.

Hinge 156 may alternatively be formed using a flexible joining membersuch as an adhesive tape attached to both first and second partitionportions 152 and 154 (not shown). Alternatively, hinge 156 may be formedby laterally inserting a pivot member such as a pin through one or moreprojections extending from each of first and second partition portions152 and 154, respectively. First and second partition portions 152 and154 may then rotate about the pin connecting them.

In the preferred embodiment, first and second partition portions 152 and154 may be generally planar, and may be connected or mounted alongadjacent edges thereof. In this configuration, the angular displacementof first and second portions 152 and 154 relative to one another abouthinge 156 may be varied. For example, partition 46 may be configured tobe generally planar when first and second portions 152 and 154 areco-planar (see FIG. 3 i), and may be configured to be generally L-shapedwhen first and second portions 152 and 154 are generally at right anglesrelative to each other (see FIG. 3 n).

In the preferred embodiment, partition 46 has third partition portion160 attached to second partition portion 154, and fourth partitionportion 162 attached to third partition portion 160 as shown in FIG. 3h. Portions 160 and 162 may be attached using second and third hinges164, 166 which may be configured in a manner similar to hinge 156, asdescribed above. Hinges 156, 164 and 166 are preferably parallel to oneanother, permitting multi-position partition 46 to be placed in avariety of different configurations: generally planar when portions 152,154 and 160 and 162 are co-planar (see FIG. 3 h); generally L-shaped(FIG. 3 g) when one or two of portions 152 or 154, 160 or 162 is (orare) rotated about one of the hinges (156, 164 or 166) to be generallyperpendicular to the remaining two portions (see FIGS. 3 g, 3 i, 3 j, 3l, and 3 n); and generally U-shaped when portions 152 and 162 arerotated towards each other about hinges 156 and 166, respectively, untilthey are generally perpendicular to intermediate portion 154 and 160.(See FIGS. 3 k and 3 m). A great number of permutations are possible,and may be employed according to the needs of the user.

Referring to FIG. 3 h, when in a generally horizontal planarorientation, the plan form of partition 46 is preferably congruent to ashape defined by an intersection of support surface 140 and receptacleinterior surface 108. That is, the periphery of the divider is generallysimilar in plan form to the plan form of the shelf defined by theshoulder at the transition of section of the wall structure ofreceptacle 30. This permits partition 46 to lie within receptacle 30 andto be supported about its margin by shoulder 126. In this configuration,partition 46 divides chamber 50 into a first sub-chamber 168 adjacentbottom 98, and a second sub-chamber 170 adjacent opening 120 (best seenin FIG. 2 g). Items stored within each sub-chamber 168 and 170 may bekept separate by first placing one or more items into sub-chamber 168,placing partition 46 onto shoulder 126, and then placing one or moreadditional items onto partition 46 for storage within sub-chamber 170.Alternatively, or additionally, a thermal storage element, such as a hotpack or an ice pack, or such as discussed more fully below, can also belocated upon partition 46 amidst the objects contained in containerassembly 20.

Access to items in sub-chamber 168 may be obtained by moving, e.g.,pivoting or lifting, one or more of panels 152, 154, 160 and 162 awayfrom sub-chamber 168. To move panels of partition 46, partition 46 maybe grasped through one or more holes therein, as described below.

Referring to FIGS. 3 g to 3 n, partition 46 may also be configured topartially sub-divide chamber 50 when partition 46 has a general L-shape.In this configuration, the peripheral edges of one portion, for exampleportion 152, may be placed in, or slidingly engaged with, a pair ofopposed guides 128. The remaining portions 154, 160 and 162, lyingperpendicular to portion 152, may be supported by shoulder 126. Itemsstored between partition 46 and bottom 98 may be separated from itemsplaced onto portions 154, 160 and 162. Items may additionally be placedon a portion of bottom 98 that is exposed even when partition 46 is inplace. If the distance between partition portions 154, 160 and 162 andbottom 98 is substantially the same as the width of portion 152, thenitems placed on bottom portion 162 may be separated by portion 152 fromitems placed on the portion of bottom 98 that is enclosed by partition46. In the preferred embodiment, portions 152, 154, 160 and 162 all havesubstantially the same width, and shoulder 126 is displaced from bottom98 by a distance that may be roughly equal to two times the width of oneof these portions. Although it is preferred that they be roughly equalquarters, it should be noted that portions 152, 154, 160 and 162 mayhave substantially different widths. The distance between bottom 98 andshoulder 126 may vary between embodiments. For example, a greaterdistance may be used when constructing a receptacle 30 for containingwine bottles than when constructing a receptacle 30 for containing beerbottles.

Edges of portion 160, 162 and portion 154, may be inserted intorespective opposed guides. Once so inserted, portion 152 may be pivotedabout hinge 156 to be supported by shoulder 126, and to provide analternate division of chamber 50. In this configuration, the distal end168 of portion 162 is located adjacent bottom 98. Many alternatepositions are possible as illustrated in the Figures. These differentconfigurations of partition 46 may permit items of various dimensions tobe stored within receptacle 30. If a different configuration ofpartition 46 is required, partition 46 may be manually removed,reconfigured and repositioned, as needed.

As noted above, partition 46 may preferably have a stiffener in thenature of a rim or flange 158. Flange 158 preferably extends about atleast a portion of the periphery of partition 46. Flange 158 may projectgenerally perpendicularly to the transverse web 172 of partition 46, toform either an L-section (an angle) or as a T-section. A T-section ispreferred as shown in FIG. 21. Flange 158 is preferably relievedadjacent all hinges.

Partition 46 may additionally have a bore, formed opening, or aperture,or apertures, such as may be in the nature of a circular holes 176,passing through at least one of portions 152, 154, 160, and 162. Holes176 may permit partition 46 to be grasped for removal or relocation.

Referring to FIG. 2 g, hole 176 may additionally be sized to receive anitem such as a vessel, for example the neck of bottle 58, that is placedwithin chamber 50. Hole 176 is preferably of the order of 1½ to 2 inchesin diameter, preferably about 1 ¾ inches to accommodate the neck of awine bottle, or pop-bottle or beer bottle, and so on, while beingsmaller than a cross-sectional dimension of the body of the bottle.Because hole 176 is preferably at least the same size as the bottle neckcross-sectional dimension, lateral movement of the bottle neck withinhole may be inhibited, for example, when container assembly 20 iscarried, jostled or bumped. By inhibiting movement of the bottle neck,bottle 58 may be discouraged from toppling and spilling its contents, orcoming into undesired contact with other items stored within receptacle30. An array of holes 176 may be located in a partition portion, such asportion 152 or 162, to position a bottle body adjacent one of the wallportions, when bottle 58 is supported by bottom 98, portion 152 issupported by support surface 140, and the bottle neck extends throughhole 176.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has three holes 176located in each of the end quarter panel portions of partition portion152, 162, one, two, or more holes may be placed in any portion, as inthe alternative configurations of partitions 180 and 182 in FIGS. 2 hand 2 i. Partition 180 is a double fold, three portion partition (theportions being roughly equal in longitudinal extent) with two holes 176in one of the end portions (see FIG. 2 h). Partition 182 is a doublefold, three portion partition, in which one portion is substantiallylarger and three holes 176 is in one of the end portions (see FIG. 2 i).

Internal Structural Member 34

Lid 32 preferably includes internal structural member 34. The generalcross-sectional structure of lid 32 may be generally as shown in FIG. 4c, in which lid 32 has an outer skin 184, an intermediate layer ofthermal insulating material 186, such as may preferably be a layer ofclosed cell foam, and an inner wall, or skin, provided by internalstructural member 34. A heavy fabric strip 188 is folded over thecombined edges of the fabric outer skin 184 and the external lip 190 ofstructure member 34 and the laminate so formed is then sewn together,the stitches passing through lip 190. In this way a thermally insulativesandwich structure is formed.

In the preferred embodiment, internal structural member 34 includes asubstantially planar medial web portion, 192, that is generallyrectangular in plan view (reflecting the generally rectangular plan formof container 20, more generally). An integrally formed bezel, orsurround member 194 extends peripherally, and continuously, about webportion 192, much in the manner of a picture frame, or peripheralflange. Surround member 194 is generally rectangular in plan view, andinteracts with the similarly rectangular plan view outline of the mouthof receptacle 30. If receptacle 30 were circular, or elliptical, oroblong, surround member 194 would also tend to be correspondinglycircular, or elliptical, or oblong to permit satisfactory matingengagement, as described below. The peripherally outermost portion, orextremity, of surround member 194, is peripheral lip 190. Lip 190 liesin the plane of web portion 192 (although it need not do). Inwardly oflip 190 is an upstanding (in the view of FIG. 4 c), outwardly facingwall member 196. Wall member 196 terminates at an end wall portion 198that extends in a plane generally parallel to the plane of web portion192 (although end wall portion 198 could be a continuously radiusedportion, or could be bevelled, as may be).

Lying peripherally inwardly spaced from outwardly facing wall member196, is a generally inwardly facing wall member 200, that extendsbetween the peripheral margin of web portion 192 and the inward marginof end wall portion 198. Inwardly facing wall member 200 has a number ofsockets, or female engagement fittings 202 in the nature of round holes204 formed therein for receiving protruding male engagement fittings 206of thermal storage member 40. Two such female engagement fittings 202are located in each of the side portions 208 of inwardly facing wallportion 200 to provide generally opposed engagement points forreleasable retention of thermal storage member 40 in a nested positionsnug against lid 32 as indicated in FIG. 4 c. It is preferred that holes204 be blind, or capped to form sealed sockets.

Outwardly facing wall member 196 includes a seal member, or sealingfitting, 210, in the nature of an externally oriented bead 212 ofmarginally greater peripheral dimension then the land region 214 of anopposing wall of receptacle 30 at the mouth thereof with which bead 212engages in an interference fit when lid 32 is moved to a closed positionrelative to chamber 50. As such, bead 212 provides a sealing means fordiscouraging leakage from receptacle 30 in the event of mishandling.That is, bead 212 engages the distal portion, or bead engaging landregion 214 of a peripheral wall of receptacle 30 in an interference fit.The general structure of surround member 194 is somewhat resilient, and,by being formed in the bent shape illustrated, is somewhat like a springwhen deflected, thus providing biasing against the tendency of bead 212to be deflected by the rim, or flange, 118, of receptacle 30 whenengaged in an interference fit. This may tend to provide a reasonabletendency to maintain a seal, without being unduly resistive to theopening of lid 32.

As noted above, lid 32 has a handle, or draw, or release member, namelyhandle 82, that is attached externally to lid 32, and that has a hookand eye fastening member (e.g., Velcro™) mounted on the inside of thetip thereof for engaging a mating hook-and-eye securement fitting 84mounted to the forward facing region of front panel 62 below the uppermargin thereof. When secured, the release member 82 may tend to secure,or lock lid 32 in place. When lifted, the release member 82 may tend toaid in disengaging lid 32 from receptacle 30.

It may be noted that bead 212 is formed by having a cross section or acontinuously radiused outer quarter round 216, that terminates at thestraight portion 218 of outwardly facing wall portion 196 at a jog, ordog-leg 220. An alternative style of seal member is shown in FIG. 4 e,where the straight portion 222 of an outwardly facing peripheral wallmember 224 has an outwardly protruding, half round bead 226 of smallerradius than quarter round 216, inset a distance.delta. from end wall228. Once again, introduction or the surround member into the mourn ofreceptacle 30 will tend to cause bead 226 to be squeezed, thus tendingto make a seal.

Further, where no internal thermal storage medium space is provided inlid 32, a different surround member 230 may be used as shown in FIG. 4d. In this instance, surround member 230 has an inclined inwardly facingwall member 232, in place of the straight wall, 200. In this example, aswell, lid 32 is not provided with a thermally insulative layer such asinsulating material 186, but rather, merely has an external fabric layer234. That is, lid 32 may be insulated as in FIG. 4 c, or uninsulated asin FIG. 4 d. Lid 32 may have a surround member as in FIG. 4 c, and noinsulation, or, alternatively, lid 32 may have a surround member as inFIG. 4 d with insulation.

In use, advancement of internal structural member 34 toward receptacle30, as by pivoting motion about the fabric hinge joining lid 32 to rearpanel 64, may tend to cause the progressive introduction of internalstructural member 34, and most particularly, of peripherally extendingseal fitting 210, into an interference fit engagement with the landregion, 214, of the mouth of receptacle 30, just inside lip 118. As lid32 is pushed further, more of seal fitting 210 engages land region 214,until there is, ideally, contact about the entire periphery of landregion 214 and the entire periphery of internal structural member 34 atthe contact interface of seal fitting 210 with land region 214.

When this occurs, bead 212 may tend to want to compress, and in sodoing, a hoop stress may be generated in each of land region 214 and theouter wall 196 of internal structural member. This hoop stress, orperipheral, or circumferential stress, may tend to be a tensile stressin land region 214, and a compressive stress in outer wall 196, runningin the peripheral direction. In an alternate embodiment, receptacle 30may have a lip that engages a structural member of an alternate lid,otherwise generally similar to lid 32, on an inside, or inwardly facingperipherally extending wall, such that the land region of the receptaclewould be in peripheral compression, and the engaging region of the lidwould be in peripheral tension. It may also be noted that the surroundportion of internal structural member 34 is, in effect, a shortcantilevered beam extending perpendicularly to the plane of web 192 oflid 32 generally. Lateral external compression of bead 212 may tend togenerate a resistive restoring moment couple in outer wall 196 (intension in a direction perpendicular to web 192), and in correspondingcompression in inner wall 200.

As may be noted, the interlace of seal fitting 210 with land region 214is intended to be sufficiently tight that it may tend to resistre-opening. To that extent, the interface between lid 32 and the lowerportion 22 of container assembly 20 may tend not to require a zipper,and may be zipperless, that is, free of any peripheral tracked fastener.

Thermal Storage Element 40

Thermal storage element 40 is shown in FIGS. 5 a to 5 f. Thermal storageelement has a first, generally planar main side 240, and an opposed,spaced apart, generally parallel opposite main side 242. The margins ofsides 240 and 242 are peripherally joined by side edge walls 244, 246,and end walls 248 and 250, these elements co-operating to form a hollowcontainer having a space 236 therein for containing a thermal storagemedium 238. In the preferred embodiment, this thermal storage medium 238is water, whether hot, cooled, or frozen.

End wall 248 is a “filler end” wall, having a rebate, or relief in thenature of a cusp 252 of constant circular arcuate shape formed inwardlytherein, and a threaded spout 254 moulded centrally in cusp 252, with aremovable matingly engageable threaded cap 256 mounted on the spout. Auser is thus able to fill thermal storage element 40 with water (or,indeed, with any other suitable thermal storage medium), to put thermalstorage element in the freezer to freeze (or, alternatively, to put hotwater, or other suitable heated thermal storage medium therein), andthen, with cap 256 securely in place, to put thermal storage element incontainer assembly 20. A similar cusp 258 is formed in end wall 250directly opposite cusp 252, and provides a ready hand engagement point,or hand hold, or grip, for disengaging thermal storage element 40 frominternal structural member 34. As noted above, end walls 248 and 250also have externally protruding nubbinses, or blisters, detects or stubsin the nature of male retention fittings 206 for engaging thecorresponding female retention, or engagement fitting 202 of surroundmember 194. It will be understood that the male fittings could be formedon the surround, and the female fittings could be formed on the thermalstorage element. As the fit between the male and female engagementfittings is an interference fit, the adjacent portion of the inwardlyfacing surround wall must be deflected (and against its biasing force),such that the fittings 206 and 202 may tend to snap in place whenmatingly seated. Removal is by reaching into cusp 258, and disengagingthermal storage element 40.

The obverse face (that is of opposite main side 240) of thermal storagemember has a pair of recesses, or depressions 260 and 262 formedtherein, the depression nave a waist 264 and arcuate end portions 266.Arcuate portions 266 are generally circular arcs, and have a diametersuited to accommodating the bottom of a beverage container, such as abottle or a drink can. Thermal storage member 40 can act as a seat fordrinks either when lid 32 is open, and supported in a generally flatposition, or when thermal storage member is supported in some otherrelatively flat orientation, such as when mounted on the bottom ofreceptacle 30 or when seated on partition 46 in a generally horizontalshelf configuration. Alternatively, and quite conveniently, thermalstorage member 40 can be removed from container assembly 20, and set ona flat surface, such as a table, and drinks placed on it, or, if laid onthe other side (with recesses 260 and 262 facing downward) withappetizers or other foods kept warm or cool on top of member 40 as maybe suitable.

It is not necessary that container assembly 20 employ thermal storageelement 40 in the lid only. On the contrary, thermal storage element 40may be placed upon partition 46, or upon the bottom of receptacle 30, asmay suit the user. Furthermore, container assembly 20 may have two, orthree or several, whether supplied with container assembly 20 as part ofthe kit, or as an additional accessory made separately available at thepoint of sale.

An alternate thermal storage member arrangement is shown in FIG. 4 g, inwhich an internal structural member 270 for placement in a lidstructure, such as lid 32, and otherwise similar to member 34, hasfemale engagement fittings 272 along the long edges 274 of itsrectangular, inwardly facing wall portion 276. In this instance twothermal storage members 278, 280 are provided in a snap fit,side-by-side configuration. Thermal storage members 278, 280 aresubstantially the same as thermal storage member 40 in terms ofconstruction, and the shape and size of recesses 282, threaded fillerspouts 284 and caps 286, however with male engagement fittings 288 beingmounted transversely as compared to thermal storage element 40. Theprinciple difference is that members 278, 280 are “half size” versionsof storage member 40. The use of two thermal storage members permitsone, or both, to be used in the lid; one in the lid and one in thebottom of receptacle 30, both in the bottom of receptacle 30, or one oranother on a shelf formed by partition member 46. It may thus tend tooffer greater flexibility of variable configurations. As with thermalstorage element 40, more than two thermal storage elements could beprovided.

Auxiliary Wall Structure 24

Auxiliary wall structure 24 includes an outwardly and upwardly extendingflap 294, a side wall 296, and a tracked closure member in the nature ofa zipper 298 operable to control access to the interior of the space 300defined between flap 294 and side panel wall 296. Flap 294 has anarcuate, padded lower portion 302 having a first margin attached tofront panel 62, near the juncture of front panel 62 with bottom panel60. Padded lower portion 302 extends upwardly and outwardly from thatedge to an arcuate lateral seam 304. A padded, generally planar (whennot pulled open) upper portion 306 extends upward from the upper marginof lower portion 302. Upper portion 306 has an external mesh pocketmounted thereto. Side wall 296 is formed in a U-shape, having dependinglower portions 308 that are mated to lower portion 302, upwardlyextending side portions 310, 312, and a curved central portion 314extending therebetween, the inner margins of items 310, 312 and 314being sewn to the front face of front panel 62 of first insulatedcontainer portion 22, and the outer margins having one half of a trackedclosure member, in the nature of zipper 298 mounted thereto, forco-operation with the other half of zipper 298 that is mounted to theupper margin of flap 294, to whose shape the outer margins of items 310,312, 314 conform. Upper curved central portion 314 has an eyelet 318, oftwo overlapping flaps to admit an electronic jack, or plug 320, of ahead set such as may be plugged into an entertainment unit, which may bea music playing device, such as device 322, which may be a CD player, acassette player, a portable radio, or, as in the preferred embodiment,an entertainment unit combining all three capabilities. An internalpouch 324 having an elasticised upper lip 326 is provided for receivingthe entertainment unit, and such cassettes or compact discs as may bedesired by the user. Alternatively, item 324 may have an internal space330 suitable for accommodating knives, forks, spoons, napkins, and otheritems such as may be desired for a picnic. Internal gussets 332 extendbetween the lateral margins of pouch 324 and the opposed margins offront flap 294 acting to limit the extent to which flap 294 can beopened, and thereby discouraging it from opening to such an extent thatobjects contained therein may too easily fall out. The terminationpoints of zipper 298 extend to a lower height than the upper margins ofgussets 332. A generally triangular lifting lug is mounted to frontpanel 62 adjacent to eyelet 318. While item 324 is not thermallyinsulated, flap 294 is fabricated with an internal layer of rubberizedpadding that is intended to provide a measure of protection againstrough handling to such electronic equipment or other objects as may becarried therein.

Alternate Lid Surface

Lid 32 may have the structure shown in FIG. 4 c or 4 d, or somecombination thereof, or, alternatively, may have the structure ofalternate lid 334 shown in FIG. 6 a. In this instance, rather than usinga relatively low density closed cell foam, as in FIG. 4 c, a relativelyhigh density, relatively stiff molded foam is used to yield a generallyrectangular table top portion 336 in the nature of a recess 338, havinga quadrilateral four sided (preferably square or rectangular) peripheralcontainment wall 340 such as may tend to discourage objects from slidingaway, even if lid 334 is not precisely level, or if container assembly20 is bumped or jostled, or carried in an automobile. Lid 334 also has apair of circular recesses, or depressions 342, having annular sidewallsthat may, again, tend to serve to steady a beverage placed thereon. Sucha lid as 334 may provide a convenient containment surface for foods andbeverages at a lunch stop or picnic. In a preferred embodiment, recess338 may be roughly 6″ (+/−) long.times.6″ (+/−) wide by about ½″ (+/−)deep, and depressions 342 may be about ⅜″ (+/−) deep, and may be sizedcomfortably to receive a 12 oz (385 mL) drink can.

FIGS. 7 a to 8 h

FIGS. 7 a to 8 h show views of an alternate embodiment of a containerassembly to that of FIG. 1 a. Container assembly 360 is substantiallysimilar to container assembly 20, and to the extent that they sharecommon features, those features are given common items numbers, althoughthey may differ in size, shape, or aspect ratio. Soft-sided insulatedcontainer assembly 360 may differ from container assembly 20 in thatcontainer assembly 360 may have a clear front wall panel 362 that doesnot have an auxiliary wall structure, such as auxiliary pouch 24 mountedthereto. Further, while container assembly 360 may have a receptacle364, and a multi-position removable pliable divider, identified aspartition 366, and a mating lid 368 having a seal member 370 engageablewith the land region 372 adjacent to the lip edge of the mouth ofreceptacle 364, container assembly 360 may not include a removablethermal storage element similar to removable thermal storage element 40described above.

It may also be noted that container assembly 360 has a different aspectratio from container assembly 20, being roughly twice as wide along thelong face as along the short face when viewed from above. Partition 366is an asymmetric divider having a first panel portion 374 of roughlyhalf size, a second panel portion 376 hingedly adjacently connectedthereto of roughly one quarter size, and a further end portion 378hingedly connected to portion 376 and having two apertures 380 similarto those described above.

In an alternate embodiment, a thermal storage element of correspondingaspect ratio, otherwise like thermal storage elements 278 or 280, may beinstalled in removable engagement in lid 368, in a manner analogous tothat described above. Whether or not such provision is made, thermalstorage elements akin to thermal storage element 40 may be place withincontainer assembly 360, either at the bottom of the receptacle, ormounted on partition 366.

FIGS. 9 a to 9 l

A further alternate embodiment of container assembly is shown in FIGS. 9a to 9 j. In this embodiment, a soft sided, insulated container assemblyis indicated generally as 400. Container assembly 400 has a base,identified as bottom panel 402, an upstanding sidewall 404 having afront panel 406, a rear panel 408, a right hand side panel 410, a lefthand side panel 412, and a top panel functioning as a hingedly attachedlid 414. A secondary, or auxiliary wall structure 416 is mounted tofront panel 406 in the same general manner as auxiliary wall structure24. The wall structure of panels 402, 406, 408, 410, and 412 isgenerally as described above in the context of container assembly 20.

However, rather than having a rigid, molded, water holding internalreceptacle, such as might be generally similar to receptacle 30,container assembly 400 has a peripherally running, inwardly extendingreinforced cuff 420, that is generally rectangular in plan view toconform to the generally rectangular opening 422 defined by the upperedges of wall panels 406, 408, 410, 412. In cross-section as seen inFIG. 9 i, cuff 420 has a first, generally horizontal, relatively shortleg 424 that surmounts the underlying wall structure, that wallstructure having an outer layer, or covering 426, typically of arelatively durable wear resistant woven nylon, an internal layer orcovering of vinyl, 428, and a closed cell thermal insulation layer 430sandwiched between the inner and outer layers. It should be noted thatthe thicknesses of the various layers are exaggerated in FIG. 9 i forthe purpose of illustration. Cuff 420 also has an inwardly anddownwardly extending skirt, or inner leg 432. Leg 432 is relatively longas compared to leg 424. Leg 432 may have a slope of the order of between4:1 and 10:1 in terms of rise over run, such that a tapered, orconvergent opening is formed, defining a peripherally extending land, orland region, 434. Cuff 420 may typically be made of a substantiallyrigid material, such as molded plastic. A coarsely woven covering 436 isstretched to overlie cuff 420, and is secured about its outer peripheraledge at a seam driven through an external edge trim bead 438, covering436, the distal margin of leg 424, and the edges of inner and outerlayers 426, 428.

A flexible, waterproof liner 440 is seamed to covering 436 at amid-level position, and hangs downwardly over the lower margin of cuff420, the lower region of liner 440 conforming to the generallyrectangular box defined between the sidewall panels, and resting uponbase panel 402. Liner 440 may typically be made of relatively thickwaterproof vinyl, and covering 436 may tend to be made from a relativelycoarse, relatively high friction woven material which may be cotton, ora cotton blend.

Lid 414 includes a molded structural reinforcement member 444 having agenerally rectangular form in plan view with a generally planarperipheral edge portion 446, a tapered transition wall portion 448, anda generally planar rectangular central portion 450 that may lie in aplane parallel to the plane of edge portion 446. The resultant shape maytend to resemble a rectangular pan with turned up edges and a peripherallip. An optional layer of closed cell thermal insulation 452 may beplaced inside the pan, and an external covering layer 454, which maytypically be of woven nylon, to which the insulation may be mounted, maybe stretched over the pan, and secured to edge portion 446 by a seamdriven through the edges of peripheral bead 456, layer 454, and edgeportion 446. Also secured by bead 456 is a relatively rough, coarselywoven inner lid covering 458, such as may be made of a rough fabricmaterial such as coarse cotton, or a blend thereof.

In use, the corresponding mating tapered faces of transition wallportion and leg 434 may tend to engage in an interference jamming fit,like a wedge, or cork, or stopper, in the mount of a bottle. Thistendency is enhanced by the use of the roughened surface coverings, thatare intended to provide a relatively high level of friction between thesurfaces and therefore a tendency to resist, somewhat, the tendency toopen unduly easily. In this case the land is, as indicated, merely acuff of suitable size and location to engage the interfering, protrudingbull nose of the lid.

In an optional, alternate embodiment, lid 414 may be provided with aformed plastic peripheral bezel member suitable for receiving aremovably engageable thermal storage 30 element, such as removablethermal storage member 40, described above.

FIGS. 10 a-10 h

In FIGS. 10 a to 10 h, a container assembly is identified as 460.Container assembly 460 is similar to assembly 20, to the extent ofhaving a soft-sided shell of insulated construction, having a front wall462, that may also be a top wall when container assembly 460 is lying onits back to be opened, a rear wall 464 that may also be a bottom wallwhen container assembly 460 is lying on its back, and a generallyrectangular sidewall 466 that has left hand and right hand shortsidewall portions 468, 470 and top (when carried) and bottom (whencarried), first and second long sidewall portions 472, 474 thatco-operate to form the four-sided shape, with generous corner radii. Ahandle 476 is mounted to the top sidewall portion, i.e., first longsidewall portion 472, to permit container assembly 460 to be handcarried. Handle 476 may have a detachable ad re-attachable releasemember, such as quick release 478, shown in separated condition in FIG.10 a, and connected in FIG. 10 b. An hinge, 480, such as may be a fabricor web hinge, runs along the frontward vertex of long sidewall portion474 and is connected to margin 482 of front wall 462, such that frontwall 462 may be disengaged about three of four sides, and swung opensubject to the operation of hinge 480. An opener, grip, or pull, whichmay be in the nature of a tongue, or pull tab 484 may assist in openingthe lid, namely front wall 462 away from the remainder of the insulatedsidewall portions, thereby yielding access to the interior chamber 486.The inside, or underside, however it may be called, of the distalportion of tab 484 may include a releasable fastener, which may be ahook and eye fastener, such as one of a mating pair of VELCRO strips,the mating strip, or patch 490 being mounted to first long sidewallportion 472 in the region lying within the span of the bail of handle476. The mating hook and eye portions may function as a releasableattachment or securement, or latch member, such as may, when matedtogether, further discourage disengagement of the friction fitinterface.

Container assembly 460 includes a pair of matingly engaging peripheralwall portions. Those portions may include a female land 492, which maybe in the form of a debouchment, or mouth, or rim 494 of a substantiallyrigid (as compared to the insulated soft sided wall portions) structuralmember such as a liner in the nature of a receptacle or bin, or tub,however it may be called, such as may be identified as item 496. Rim 494may be opposed by a male closure of securement member 498 in the natureof a front panel reinforcing peripheral member 500. Member 500 mayinclude a bezel-like upstanding (which is to say, standing out of theplane of front wall 462 generally) peripheral interference fitengagement member 502, which may have a peripherally outwardly facingfitting, such as an interference bulge or detent 504, such as may tendto encourage a positive interference between the two mating members, andwhich may co-operate with an opposed, corresponding detent feature, suchas a relief or cusp 506 in the surrounding land 508 (see detail of FIG.10 j, when parts are forced together in the direction of phantom arrow‘A’. FIG. 10 j also shows an embodiment of wall structure. As may benoted, the wall structure includes the substantially rigid liner member510, and the external soft-sided insulated wall having an inner skin512, an insulated layer, 514, and an outer skin 516. This wall structuremay also include a further outer protective layer of heavier, scuffresistant material 518, or the scuff resistant material may be used inplace of outer skin 516.

The internal liner member may be a removable tub, or vessel, or may besecured to the soft-sided outer wall assembly. In either case, the linermay fit quite closely, or snuggly, inside the soft-sided insulatingwalls, and may occupy substantially all of the internal volume withinthe soft-sided walls. In the embodiment of FIG. 10 k, the outer, orfemale interference fit engagement assembly includes a molded re-entrantlip that may include cusp 106, an end wall 518, and an outer, return leg520, such that the land region, end wall 518 and return leg 520 may tendto co-operate to function as a channel section tending to stiffen theperipheral lip more generally. At the inward end of outward return leg520 there may be a laterally extending leg, such as may be identified asflange 522, to which the soft sided wall structure may be secured by anattachment. The attachment may be a bonding agent, or, the distalportion 524 of flange 522 may be thinned to provide a land through whichstitching 526 may be passed to secure the liner to the wall structure,or stitching and bonding may both be employed to discourage removal ofthe substantially rigid liner from the soft-sided wall structure.

The wall structure of the lid portion (when the unit is lying on itsback) or front panel 462, may also include a soft insulated panel suchas panel 528, which may be of substantially the same construction asdescribed above, and as shown in FIG. 10 j. Alternatively, front panel462 may omit the relatively thick insulated layer, and may employ a moreskin-like covering, such as may by a grade of NYLON, whether sheet orwoven, and indicated as 464 in FIG. 10 k. The embodiment of FIG. 10 jmay employ a formed externally facing interference fit reinforcement, inthe nature of a lip member 530 that may extend peripherally about a mainplanar lid panel portion 532. Lip member 530 may have an out-of-planeinner leg 534, distal end portion 536, return leg 538, and outerperipheral flange 540, and thinned outer finger 542 through which astitched connection to the front panel covering assembly, be it acellular foam insulated panel (FIG. 10 j), or a thinner covering (FIG.10 k), can be made. In FIG. 10 j, leg 534, end portion 536 and leg 538co-operate with the adjacent planar portions 532 and 540 to function asa reinforcing channel for the adjacent planar regions, thus tending toyield a stiffened member for engagement with the surrounding land of theliner. In the alternate embodiment of FIG. 10 k, lip member 530 may bereplaced by a cast panel having a peripheral lip having a solid, asopposed to hollow or channel like, leg 544, having a bulbous, orfattened distal end portion 546 such as may deflect in the direction ofArrow ‘B’ when the male and female parts are forced together by motionin the direction of arrow ‘A’, in the manner of a cantilevered springflexing to give an interference fit. In these embodiments there is,commonly, an engagement interface that is free from tracked fasteners,or, as it might be alternatively termed, the friction interface is‘zipperless’.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10 a, it may be noted that, when being carriedin the usual manner by the handle, or when being carried by a strapattached at the lifting attachment fittings, namely ring fittings 477,479 on the opposite, short side portions of the surrounding peripheralsidewall, whether full or empty, the center of gravity of containerassembly 460 will lie below the handle 476, such that the matingperipheral seal, or peripheral friction fit interface between the matingmale and female parts may tend not to be carried in a generally, orpredominantly horizontal fashion, as in the customary mode of theembodiment of FIG. 1 a, for example, but rather in a generally, orpredominantly vertical, or up and down, orientation, in which the hingeis along the bottom, or downwardmost portion of the surroundingperipheral sidewall. In this orientation, both the downwardmost andupwardmost portions of the peripheral interference contact may tend tobe generally linear, and predominantly horizontal, whereas the shortside portions of the peripheral interface may tend to run in anup-and-down ascending or descending orientation, which may besubstantially vertical, between the two long side portions.

Liner 496 may have a base, or bottom, wall 550 and upstanding peripheralwall 552 having short and long sidewall portions 553, 554, 555, 556corresponding to the surrounding short and long sidewall portions of thesoft-sided wall. The distal termination (i.e., the rim or lip) of wall552 has been described above. Liner 496 may include indexing features558, such as may be in the nature of wall mounted grooves or slots 560,which may be molded in liner 496. Slots 560 may be placed intermittentlyalong liner 596 to permit a partition 562 to be installed, therebydividing internal space 564 into halves, or a 2:1 or 3:1 split, as maybe.

Container assembly 460 may have a length ‘L’, a width ‘W’ (as seen inFIG. 10 a) and a depth ‘D’ (as seen in FIG. 10 d). Length ‘L’ may betaken as exceeding width ‘W’, and both may be greater then depth ‘D’. Insome embodiments these dimensions may lie in the range of L:W of 3:2(+/−25%), and L:D of 3:1 (+/−25%), and in one embodiment L:W:D of about3:2:1 (all +/−25%), such that the inner liner may be a relativelyshallow tray. In another embodiment, this ratio of L:W:D may be roughly5:3:2 (all +/−25%), for the region enclosing the liner.

FIG. 10 i

In the embodiment of FIG. 10 i, there is a container assembly 570 thatis of substantially the same construction as that of FIG. 10 a, and mayinclude the alternate features and proportionate ratios described above.In this case however, handle 572 is not mounted to one of the long sideportions, as is handle 476, but rather placed along one of the shortside portions 574, such that, in the customary orientation for carrying,hinge 576 may lie along one of the ascending (or descending),predominantly vertical sides of the friction fit interface, as may thepull tab member 578, and the portions of the friction fit interfacelying along the short side portions may tend to be predominantlyhorizontal.

FIGS. 11 a-11 k and 12 a-12 h

The embodiments of FIGS. 11 a and 12 a show soft-sided insulatedcontainers having a lower region, an upper region, and a dividingpartition or wall. The lower region may contain a substantially rigidliner, or rim reinforcing member, such as may provide an interference,or friction, fit land, analogous to those described above. The undersideof the dividing partition or wall may include the mating reinforcedfitting, again, analogous to those described above. The embodiments ofFIGS. 11 a and 12 a differ from those described in that they may have anadditional enclosed space, in the upper region, that may have asoft-sided enclosing wall structure, that may be separately accessiblefrom the region of the reinforced wall structure, and that may benon-reinforced, for containing objects that may not benefit from, orrequired a protective reinforced wall. An example of such an objectmight be a can of juice or a canned soft-drink, which may benefit from athermally insulated enclosure, but which may not necessarily required areinforced wall.

FIGS. 11 a to 11 i show a soft-sided insulated container assembly,indicated generally as 600. It has a first, or lower portion, indicatedgenerally as 602, a second, or upper portion, indicated generally as604, and an insulated partition 606 segregating the interior of lowerportion 602 from the interior of upper portion 604. Container assembly600 has two separate enclosures, or chambers, 608 and 610, definedwithin respective portions 602 and 604, each of which can be used toencourage the contents thereof to be maintained at a differenttemperature. For example, one chamber, be it 608 or 610, may be used tokeep one type of food or other object warm, while the other is used tokeep another food or object cool. Container assembly 600 may placechambers 608 and 610 one above the other, as in the manner of a lunchbucket. Lower portion 602 and upper portion 604 each have an independentclosure member, the lower being in the nature of an interferencefriction fit between mating male and female engagement members,analogous to those described above, at peripheral interface indicatedgenerally as 612, and an upper closure member which may be in the formof a tracked fastener, or zipper 614. In the case of container assembly600, portions 602 and 604 share a common wall, or enclosing member,namely partition 606. When interface 612 is moved to a disengagedcondition, (or zipper 614, as may be, is moved to an open position), theremainder of container assembly 600 is displaceable relative to lowerportion 602. That is, the remainder of container assembly 600 is able tomove pivotally about a flexible fabric hinge 616 away from lower portion602 (or, in the case of upper portion 604, the remainder pivots awayfrom portion 604 about a flexible fabric hinge 618), generally in themanner of a pivotable lunch bucket lid. In the case of use of containerassembly 600 as a lunch container, such as a student may take to school,or such as may be used for a similar purpose, food may be placed inlower chamber, 608, in the same orientation as it will be carried whencontainer assembly 600 is lifted either by its handle or by its carryingstrap.

Describing this structure in detail, lower portion 602 is a soft-sidedinsulated wall structure that has a rectangular bottom wall, 622, a lefthand side wall 624, a right hand side wall 626, a front wall 628 and arear wall 630. Walls 624, 626, 628 and 630 are joined in a rectilinearshape about bottom wall 622. The lower margins of walls 624, 626, 628and 630 mate with the margins of bottom wall 622 to form an upwardlyopening, open top box, those walls defining therewithin lower chamber608. Bottom wall 622 has a reinforced wear resistant outer surface, androunded corners so that container assembly 600 has corners that are notsharp, but slightly rounded. This may facilitate packing of assembly 600into larger containers, such as a knapsack.

As shown in FIG. 11 h, chamber 608 may have a substantially rigid walledliner 632 that may be freely removable, in the manner of other linersdescribed above, or may be secured in place, as described above. Liner632 may be secured about the open edges 633, 634, 635, and 636 of walls624, 626, 628, and 630. The upper peripheral margin of lower portion602, being made up of the upper margins of each of the sides, namelyedges 633, 634, 635 and 636, defines the lip, or rim, of an opening 637of chamber 608. At the upper margin of rear wall 630, namely edge 636,rear wall 630 is joined by hinge 616 to a rearward margin, or edge, ofpartition 606. Release of the tongue 615 (which may, in the closedcondition, mate with a corresponding hook-and-eye fabric strip patch 617on the front face of the assembly) allows the interference fit interfaceto be disengaged, thus permitting the interface to be opened and closedto yield access to chamber 608.

The insulated construction of lower portion 602 may be the same as thatdescribed above. Lower portion 602 may have an open mesh pocket 641mounted to front wall 628 for carrying loose items, pocket 641 beingopened and closed by a closure member in the nature of a zipper 643.

Upper portion 604 is an upper, or second, soft-sided insulated wallstructure. It has a pair of flexible, insulated end walls 642 and 644that have a shape similar to a ‘D’ placed on its side, or a rounded,inverted ‘U’, such as to give upper portion 604 a profile when seen froman end view as in FIG. 11 d or 11 e (or, in the case of the embodimentof FIG. 12 a, FIGS. 12 g and 12 h) that defines a container lid contoursimilar to the end view of a rounded top of a lunch bucket. While agenerally semi-circular profile is shown, alternative embodiments neednot be precisely semi-circular, but may include an arc describing lessthan 180 degrees, may include straight portions adjoining radiusedportions, or may include a parabolic or elliptic curve, or anarbitrarily chosen curve giving a generally arch-like, domed profile.

A flexible, insulated top panel 646 extends between end panels 642 and644 and is joined to them at sewn end seams such that panel 646 has acurved form to follow the end profile described in a rounded, generallysemi-cylindrical, or partially cylindrical manner, the lower margins ofeach of end walls 642 and 644 forming a chord of the curved shape. Whenformed on an arc in this way, top panel 646 may tend, in co-operationwith end panels 642 and 644, to form a stiffer section than if panel 646were replaced by a planar top panel. The cover, or lid structure,indicated generally as 645, that is formed by the co-operation of panel646 and end walls 642, 644 defines within it upper chamber 610. Lidstructure 645 may have the general appearance of the top of a lunchbucket, although it may be soft-sided and relatively flexible, ratherthan rigid in the manner of a metal structure. The lower margin of lidstructure 645, namely the lower front and rear edges of longitudinalpanel 646 and the lower edges of the left and right hand end panels, 642and 644, is of a size and shape that corresponds to the upper margin oflower portion 602 such that the one soft-sided insulated wall structurecan sit upon the other in an aligned manner, the respective lengths andwidths corresponding one to another.

Panel 646 is joined along its rearward lower margin, or edge, topartition 606 by flexible hinge 618. One set of teeth of zipper 614 ismounted along the lower margins of end walls 642, 644 and the frontlower margin of panel 646, with the corresponding set of mating teethbeing mounted to adjacent edges of partition 606 such that zipper 614has a three-sided U-shape, and is moveable between open and closedpositions to govern access to chamber 610 defined within panel 646 andend walls 642 and 644. Chamber 610 has a generally rectangular opening650 defined by the lower margins, or edges of panel 646 and end walls642 and 644 as described above. Objects can be introduced into chamber610 through opening 650 when zipper 618 is in its open position. Theconstruction of panel 646 and end walls 642 and 644 is generally asdescribed above, incorporating an external skin of a flexible, wearresistant material such as a woven nylon; a medial, closed cellinsulation layer; and may include a reflective inner skin such thatinside surfaces 651, 652 and 653 of panel 646 and end walls 642 and 644respectively, have a shiny finish.

A suspension member, in the nature of a carrying handle 654, may bemounted centrally on panel 646, with its bail and reinforcement webbingoriented to run longitudinally, that is, parallel to the crest of panel646. Another suspension member, in the nature of a carrying strap 656,may be connected by releasable clasps to mounting rings lying adjacentto the apices of either end wall, 642 or 646 (such a carrying strap andreleasable clasps may be used with the embodiment of FIG. 10 a, aswell). In alternative embodiments, a suspension member, whether in thenature of handle 654 or in the nature of carrying strap 656 or anothersuspension means, need not be mounted precisely at the crest of panel646, or at the respective apices of end panels 642 and 644, but may bemounted in such a manner that the center of lift of the suspensionmember is at a level, measured relative to the base side, lying abovethe level of the center of gravity of the container when packed. It ispreferable that the center of lift lie directly above the center ofgravity such that an axis intersecting both the center of lift and thecenter of gravity is perpendicular to the base side.

Partition 606 may be a flexible insulated structure, including a panel660 having a closed cell foam insulation layer such as shown in FIG. 11j, such as may lie between an upper skin 661, which may be reflective,and an optional lower skin 662. A panel reinforcement member 663 may besubstantially the same (other than in length and width, which may bedifferent) as lip member 530 and panel member 532.

A ventilated panel, in the nature of a mesh web 670 is attached to theunderside of panel 660 by having its edges sewn into the same seam asthree sides of lip 668, such that a receptacle in the nature of a pocket672 is defined between web 670 and lower surface 661 of panel 660.Pocket 672 has a lip 674, and immediately inside lip 674 there is apocket closure, or fastener, in the nature of a fabric hook and eyestrip closure 676. Pocket 672 is of a size to enclose a thermal energystorage element 678, such as an ice pack or heating pack, such that thetemperature in chamber 608, and of objects therein, can be influenced tohave a warmed or cooled condition relative to external ambient. In analternative embodiment, lid structure 645 can also be provided with asimilar pocket and thermal energy storage element.

The embodiment of container assembly 680 FIG. 12 a differs from theembodiment 600 of FIG. 11 a in having a different upper region closuremember arrangement 682. That is, whereas the embodiment of FIG. 11 a mayhave an upper region that is hinged along its rearward edge, and mayhave a tracked fastener running about the other three edges to governaccess to the upper region, the embodiment of FIG. 12 a may employ atracked fastener arrangement that may run over the crest of the arcuatetop wall of the upper region 684, then predominantly longitudinallyalong the lower front margin 686, and the back over the crest 688 towardthe hinged margin of the internal partition. This may yield a continuousarcuate profile that may bear some resemblance to a large smile, and isshown in closed form in FIG. 12 a and open form in FIG. 12 b. In thislarge smile arrangement the lower peripheral margin of the upper wallstructure may remain fixedly attached to the upper edge of the peripheryof the internal partition between the upper and lower enclosed regions,rather than being releasable from the partition itself.

FIGS. 11 j and 11 k show alternate arrangements of reinforcement membersfor obtaining an interference fit at the peripheral interface betweenthe lower land member and the upper engaging member. These interfacesare as described in the context of FIGS. 10 j and 10 k, but differ inthe existence of an upwardly extending insulated wall portion,illustrated in scab section, of the upper enclosure or chamber. FIG. 10j might be typical of an end wall connection of container assembly 680,container assembly 600 (and 680) having a hinge along one edge, andcontainer assembly 600 having a tracked fastener portion along the otherthree edges between the internal partition and the commencement of theupwardly extending insulated wall, symbolised by item number 690.

In one embodiment, the proportions of container assemblies 600 and 680,for the lower region may be of the order of about L:W:D of 5:3:2 (all+/−25%), with the ratio of lower depth to upper depth being in the rangeof about 1:1 to about 4:3 (+/−25% at either end of the range).

Although the various embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, the principles of the present invention are not limited to thesespecific examples which are given by way of illustration.

I claim:
 1. An insulated, soft-sided container assembly comprising: abody assembly and a lid assembly hingedly joined to said body assembly;said body assembly including a soft-sided outer casing; said soft-sidedouter casing being insulated; said body assembly having a chamberdefined within said insulated soft-sided outer casing; said lidincluding a formed structural member; said lid assembly having aperiphery for mating engagement with said body assembly; said lidassembly being movable between a first position obstructing access tosaid chamber, and a second position permitting access to chamber; saidformed structural member including a substantially planar medial webportion; said lid assembly having a table top portion defined thereon,whereby, when said soft-sided insulated container is placed in anupright position and said lid assembly is in said first position objectsmay be supported upon said table top portion.
 2. The insulated,soft-sided container assembly of claim 1 wherein said formed structuralmember includes a peripheral flange extending about said substantiallyplanar medial web portion.
 3. The insulated soft-sided containerassembly of claim 2 wherein said chamber has an opening, said openinghaving a shape, said peripheral flange defines a surround, and saidsurround has a shape corresponding to said opening of said chamber forengagement therewith.
 4. The insulated soft-sided container assembly ofclaim 3 wherein said surround is rectangular in plan view.
 5. Theinsulated soft-sided container assembly of claim 1 wherein said lidassembly has a first recess formed therein defining said table topportion.
 6. The insulated soft-sided container assembly of claim 5wherein said lid assembly also has a second recess formed therein. 7.The insulated soft-sided container assembly of claim 5 wherein table topportion has a peripheral retaining wall for discouraging objects fromsliding off said table top portion.
 8. The insulated soft-sidedcontainer assembly of claim 7 wherein said lid assembly has a recess foraccommodating a beverage.
 9. The insulated soft-sided container assemblyof claim 7 wherein said table top portion is substantially rectangularand there are two beverage container recesses formed in said lidadjacent to said table top portion.
 10. The insulated soft-sidedcontainer assembly of claim 7 wherein said formed structural memberincludes a peripheral flange extending about said substantially planarmedial web portion.
 11. The insulated soft-sided container assembly ofclaim 10 wherein said chamber has an opening, said opening having ashape, said peripheral flange defines a surround, and said surround hasa shape corresponding to said opening of said chamber for engagementtherewith.
 12. The insulated soft-sided container assembly of claim 11wherein said table top portion is substantially rectangular and thereare two beverage container recesses formed in said lid assembly adjacentto said table top portion.
 13. The insulated soft-sided containerassembly of claim 11 wherein said peripheral flange mates with said bodyassembly in an interference fit.
 14. The soft-sided insulated containerassembly of claim 11 wherein said assembly includes a hard-shellreceptacle mounted within said body assembly, said receptacle has amouth, and said peripheral flange mates with said mouth in aninterference fit.